Districts can use their Title IIA funds to provide professional development for teachers and principals. Activities can be focused around increasing content knowledge or effective instructional practices. Funds can also be used for innovative professional development programs such as those that focus on technology literacy, ones designed to improve the quality of principals and superintendents, or those which support teacher advancement initiatives that emphasize multiple career paths.

Effective professional development leads to changes in instructional practice, which then may lead to changes in student achievement. Some common factors of effective professional development include

A focus on subject-matter content and the pedagogy of
how students learn that content.

Job-embedded learning opportunities, such as working
with other teachers.

Groups of teachers from the same grade, subject, or school who develop a
learning community.

A consistency with other professional development and
teacher knowledge.

At least 20 – 40 hours of time to engage with the topic
or focus.

Data on quality of implementation of development
activities, gains in teacher knowledge, changes in classroom practices are
collected.